MCU IRONHEART: Is this Regression or Continuation?

MCU IRONHEART: Is this Regression or Continuation?

Why is Marvel's Ironheart so controversial? A new Ironheart teaser just dropped—and fans are already split. Did Wakanda Forever set Riri Williams up for real growth just to fall back into old habits?

Editorial Opinion
By CreateNowSlpL8r - Jun 08, 2025 06:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Ironheart

So a new TV spot just dropped for Ironheart, and my first reaction was...

—irritation.

Believe it or not, I am going to defend the path the MCU took introducing Riri Williams. 

Wakanda Forever (intentionally or not) fixes a major issue with Riri as a character. In the comics, Riri is 15, an MIT student (presumably on a full scholarship). She builds her first armor by reverse-engineering Tony Stark’s designs using materials she steals from MIT. Naturally, you’d expect consequences for stealing from your school—especially while on a full scholarship.

Nope. Instead of getting expelled, she attracts the attention of Tony Stark, who mentors her. So, she’s rewarded.

This is the problem with modern writing. While people focus on the identity politics tied to who stars in the show, that isn’t the real issue. The problem is always the writing. Let me say that again for the people who are about to start the name calling. IT IS ALWAYS THE WRITING.

In the MCU, we get a much different Riri. She’s aged up—which makes sense—and her skills draw all the wrong attention. Wakanda tracks her down, and to fight against Namor army, she’s allowed to build a new suit. At the movie’s conclusion, Shuri does not let Riri take the suit with her. Allowing vibranium-based technology to leave Wakanda could escalate geopolitical tensions and potentially endanger both Wakanda and Riri.

Secondly, Wakanda isn’t exactly into sharing that tech—unless you’re Sam Wilson who literally wears the flag of a nation as a symbol… but whatever.

It’s the right call either way and paves the way for Riri’s future in the MCU. She’s no longer shackled to a less-than-honorable beginning. Presumably, like Sam, Shuri and Wakanda would mentor her.

Shuri could easily take Stark’s role here, and we could have a series about what comes next in Riri’s journey. Perhaps we’d get a real coming-of-age story—showing character growth, hardship, and an arc where Riri takes the lessons learned from her Wakanda experience and channels them into heroic action. Like Peter Parker, she would leave her mentorship with a moral compass forged by her trials abroad.

or maybe not.

Obviously, the series hasn’t started yet, so we can’t know for sure. But five things are already clear to me:

  1. They’re going to revert Riri to being a thief.
  2. She’s going to work with the Hood.
  3. She’s likely going to achieve her “iconic” goal.
  4. Even though she goes along with The Hood, she'll change her mind and defeat him. (The TV spot makes it clear that Riri knows hes evil, hes trying to convince her to do something she knows is morally wrong.)
  5. She won’t face any real consequences.

You could say I’m judging too quickly, but as I’ve argued on this site before, this is the trope.

Marvel does not want to show these characters as flawed or wrong. The character doesn’t need to grow or learn from mistakes. It’s everyone else who is just in their way or who doesn’t understand them.

It creates a narrative where Riri is a “Privileged Prodigy”—a genius with entitlement, not struggle. This makes for less interesting characters, and without compelling characters, you can’t create a compelling story.

So what's missing? 

The journey. The dues. The consequences.

Peter Parker had to earn his role through pain, sacrifice, and moral trials. Riri often feels like she’s handed greatness just for being smart.

And... it introduces another plot hole.

Wakanda intervened in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier when Zemo was loose—they monitor threats to their interests even outside Wakanda. They also gave Sam his Captain America suit, proving they do get involved when vibranium and international politics are on the line.

So did Wakanda just fall asleep on a kid who can build weapons of mass destruction? You’d think they’d keep tabs on her and intervene when she’s working with a known criminal and flying around in new armor without Wakandan supervision. Wakanda has the tech and clear motivation to monitor her.

Well… except when the writers decide they don’t—so the plot can happen. At minimum, the Ironheart series is ignoring important continuity and logic for narrative convenience. This is a writing flaw—one Marvel and Hollywood continue to ignore.

They seem to believe projects featuring diverse characters can’t show them being wrong, flawed, or forced to grow. These characters don’t go through the hero’s journey. They make questionable choices and “turn good” simply because they decide to, without paying any price for their mistakes. Its born perfect syndrome—and they can’t fix it because that’s how the writers view the world. It reflects a broader cultural shift where hardship is seen more as oppression to avoid than as a crucible for character. But without struggle, there’s no triumph—and that robs the audience of the hero’s journey.

Despite everything Riri has going for her, her decision to steal (in the comics) or potentially do morally questionable things (in the show) comes across not as necessity—but as entitlement. Contrast that with Spider-Man—where intelligence meets hardship and humility. That dynamic is completely absent from Riri’s story.

The MCU accidentally corrected a moral shortfall in Riri’s comic origin. Shuri, by allowing Riri to build her armor under supervision but not take it home, becomes a kind of ethical Tony Stark—one who sets boundaries.

As I outlined in my Marvel’s Missed Opportunity: The Rise and Stall of Sam Wilson article, this is another example of Marvel failing the character. Sure, people will have their opinions either way about the existence of Ironheart, but that is irrelevant. Until Marvel and Hollywood return to proper character development—and stop relying on perceived popular or politically driven tropes—box office and viewership will continue to suffer.

IRONHEART First Clip Sees The Hood Point Out The Flaw In Riri Williams' Iconic Superhero Plans
Related:

IRONHEART First Clip Sees The Hood Point Out The Flaw In Riri Williams' "Iconic" Superhero Plans

IRONHEART Promo Teases Riri Williams' Transformation Into The MCU's Newest Armored Superhero
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IRONHEART Promo Teases Riri Williams' Transformation Into The MCU's Newest Armored Superhero

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Blergh
Blergh - 6/8/2025, 6:16 AM
I guess we’ll have to watch the show to answer the question if it’s regressive or not. All points of critique here are what it “could” be based on trailers and assumptions.

As for myself, I’m not interested in the show and probably will watch it someday when there’s nothing else to do, if at all. It’s a carry-over from Chapeks content flood so my interest isn’t there in the first place.
Besides, Riri wasn’t a character I liked in WF.
Mugens
Mugens - 6/8/2025, 6:26 AM
I'll be watching as I do all comic related content as I do like to support the genre as much as possible. Although there have been some content even I couldn't bring myself to watch or support if I'm honest. But not sure I'm that enthused by what the trailers have shown thus far. Hopefully the show itself will be much better.
epc1122
epc1122 - 6/8/2025, 6:54 AM
@Mugens - I find there’s just too much to watch so I’m more selective to watching things that I’m actually interested in. What shows/media have you skipped? For me, that come to mind I didn’t see Agatha, some Star Wars shows, runaways, cloak and dagger, and modok. Some of the other marvel shows I watched but found them boring and did work while they were on.
They were on.
Vigor
Vigor - 6/8/2025, 8:55 AM
@epc1122 - you didn't miss much skipping those. Agatha impressed even with its smallish budget. But it's not necessary to catch unless you wanna see how Wiccan comes about
epc1122
epc1122 - 6/8/2025, 9:03 AM
@Vigor - yeah, figured as much. I think there was another poster from here who I think put it in a good way. there’s so much content, it’s like a comic book store where you don’t have to read everything, just pick the characters/stories that interest you. I used to want to watch everything, especially with marvel bc so many things connect, but i find it to be too much now. I’m looking forward to avengers but not really looking forward to iron heart or wonder man. On the fence with ff4. I think I’ll be bored but that’s a wait and see for me.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 6/8/2025, 6:29 AM
I aint judging anything till we know for certain WHY she goes from talented student with resources at her disposal there and potential support from Wakanda to having to find another way and making mistakes.

Your correct that the pre-watching plothole is why doesn't Shuri help her out, the change of leadership of Wakanda may be a big part of that however but that IS a big question that needs answers and good writing to cover it well however ending up falling into a bad group on it's own isn't enough of an issue to reject unseen as that shit happens all the time IRL.

The biggest difference tween Riri and Tony was he had almost unlimited resources and few obstacles to do whatever he wanted with them, Williams is the exact opposite in every way with barely any resources and a LOT of personal obstacles to overcome just to make her tech let alone battling villains.

So yeh, turning her into a thief potentialy, I get that aint a great concept to go with but till we see how she ends up in that place and what the full consequences of it all is I aint judging.
AllsGood
AllsGood - 6/8/2025, 6:33 AM
I paid for a Yealy Disney Plus Subscription NOT Boycott their Shows and Movies.

I will be watching Marvel Marvel's Ironheart I don't care what all the Haters think.

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epc1122
epc1122 - 6/8/2025, 6:58 AM
@AllsGood - if it’s something you’re interested in, you should def see the show but they have enough content where you can enjoy the subscription and not see everything. While I think Netflix has more content and than Disney plus, I don’t think anyone expects to see it everything on it. If you go to a library, you’re not going to borrow all the books or movies they have, just the ones you’re interested in. But with that said, I hope you enjoy iron heart. I’m not sure if I have this on my list of things to watch. At this point it doesn’t really excite me but either with the Knicks out of the playoffs, I have about 9 hours extra hours of content i can watch during the week lol.
AllsNotGood
AllsNotGood - 6/8/2025, 7:03 AM
@AllsGood - How much is Yealy. Is it cheaper than yearly or monthly?

Is Marvel Marvel owned by Disney or is it a company on its own?
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 6/8/2025, 8:18 AM
@AllsNotGood - Give him a chance, it's the first time he types a comment all by himself rather than copy/pasting article quotes and B.O. numbers
AllsGood
AllsGood - 6/8/2025, 11:26 AM
@AllsNotGood - Where is your Friend?
AllsGood
AllsGood - 6/8/2025, 6:40 AM
Marvel Studios Tony Stark was Arms Dealer sold his weapons to the Good, Bad and the Ugly to get rich.

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Mercwitham0uth
Mercwitham0uth - 6/8/2025, 6:43 AM
@AllsGood - Thing about Tony was that he didn't know his weapons were being sold to the bad and ugly.
AllsGood
AllsGood - 6/8/2025, 6:51 AM
@Mercwitham0uth - Tony Stark was a Genius Billionaire Playboy he knew. The Only reason he changed because he was almost killed by his own weapons and show them in the cave.

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harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 6/8/2025, 7:21 AM
@AllsGood - "he knew."....... yeah BU11shit son, did u even watch the film, he had no clue his company had been dealing under the table with the enemy.

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AllsGood
AllsGood - 6/8/2025, 7:44 AM
@harryba11zack - Tony Stark has always been a Jerk in the Comics and MCU Movies. Tony created a lot of his own problems in the MCU like Ultron.

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AllsGood
AllsGood - 6/8/2025, 8:01 AM
@harryba11zack - Even that clip Tony Stark excuse is he was too Drunk and Parting to know what's happening.

Tony Stark spent his whole life Selling Weapons to the Good, Bad and Ugly. Can't play Stupid now.
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 6/8/2025, 8:04 AM
@AllsGood - Speaking of caves, is that where you hide during the release of Captain Falcon?
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harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 6/8/2025, 8:07 AM
@AllsGood - .....what does tony being a jerk have to do with you lying about MCU Tony?
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harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 6/8/2025, 8:09 AM
@AllsGood - he didn't know, that was the whole point of the phucking scene.
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 6/8/2025, 8:21 AM
@AllsGood - ...wait, Clint, Lee and Eli were in Iron Man 1 ? I need to rewatch that !😂
AllsGood
AllsGood - 6/8/2025, 8:22 AM
@harryba11zack - Tony Stark Drunk was a Genius Billionaire Playboy 40 plus years Old if he never been almost killed nothing would have changed.

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harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 6/8/2025, 8:25 AM
@AllsGood - User Comment Image
JacobsLadder
JacobsLadder - 6/8/2025, 10:38 AM
@harryba11zack - don't bother. you're pissing into the wind.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 6/8/2025, 12:45 PM
@harryba11zack - that's like saying the ceo of Haliburton was shocked to hear another country using their weapons. You clowns die on so many hills it's hilarious
CreateNowSlpL8r
CreateNowSlpL8r - 6/8/2025, 1:52 PM
@harryba11zack - The only way his example works (in the MCU) is if post Ironman 1, Tony goes back to knowingly selling weapons to bad people. That would be character regression.

@AllsGood - you are also missing the point. In IM1, that was our introduction to Tony. We've met Riri before. Thats the question. Why introduce something they seemingly fixed already? Because they can't write, thats why. They no longer have the talent to grow characters, especially after a period of time. Its probably why none of phase 4/5 characters got sequels.
IAmAHoot
IAmAHoot - 6/8/2025, 6:54 AM
Considering you’re talking about a show that was made years ago your headline is pretty darn quizzical.
SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 6/8/2025, 7:09 AM
Skip
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 6/8/2025, 7:11 AM
User Comment Image
Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 6/8/2025, 9:14 AM
@harryba11zack - User Comment Image
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 6/8/2025, 7:52 AM
"Peter Parker had to earn his role through pain, sacrifice, and moral trials. Riri often feels like she’s handed greatness just for being smart."

Peter's first appearance in the MCU is Tony Stark showing up at his home to lavish him with technologically advanced equipment. He is literally handed greatness just for being smart.

"So what's missing? The journey. The dues. The consequences."

It cannot be stated enough that you have not seen the show.

"Let me say that again for the people who are about to start the name calling. IT IS ALWAYS THE WRITING."

Two of the five articles you've written for this site–every single one about how a show or movie with a Black lead is or will be disappointing–were written before the movie/show in question was released. You cannot possibly know the quality of the writing for Ironheart. None of us can.
V
V - 6/8/2025, 8:28 AM
@Clintthahamster - yeah there's a name for it... something about the colour of the skin of the main character, how does he know what motivates Riri in the show but what Peter does is earned and great? He makes absolutely asshat decisions which are motivated by selfishness and are childish, he's literally had to redeem himself for these acts by sacrificing his entire existence. It's pretty blatant to see that the white man can do no wrong but god forbid a black woman does anything devious she shouldn't.... because.... reasons?
Lucasberg
Lucasberg - 6/8/2025, 10:55 AM
@Clintthahamster - Parker’s trials and failings were implied in the MCU at the start of Parker’s intro since the whole universe already knew from multiple movies and comics his trials and failings to push him to become Spidey.

Whether it will translate in the show, the thing said about born perfect syndrome is applicable from the comics… and more broadly by modern iterations of diverse characters unfortunately. Their superpower and struggle to overcome is that the world just needs to see how awesome they are
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 6/8/2025, 11:17 AM
@Lucasberg - Y'all seem to think that systemic racism isn't actually a challenge to overcome.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 6/8/2025, 12:47 PM
@Clintthahamster - I would argue that there is no systemic racism. At least not anymore. Only racism.

There are no laws on the books that hinder any specific racial group more than any other. Not in 60 years.

What we do have are racist people that make certain decisions against certain groups. Like businesses not hiring based on race, for example. But thats their right to do that. That isnt systemic. That is an individual or organization making decisions that are well within their rights. It isnt a law.
CreateNowSlpL8r
CreateNowSlpL8r - 6/8/2025, 2:28 PM
@Clintthahamster - Disappointing response.

First, I dont write many articles, second, the leads for the MCU have all been diverse for some time. I assume you consider female led, diverse. I did caveat that I have not seen the show but I think you missed the point. Im not argueing for the existence of this character or wherever your mind is going. I was annyoyed because its such an easy layup. It appears to me (appears being the operative word), that this is regression. The example I laid out for continuation would have been for Shuri to take Tonys role. Mentor and supervise Riri, which would have made Riri's inclusion into the Young Avengers sensical.

If they go this route, does she never get caught? From a character perspective, its going backwards. As if she wasn't changed at all from BP2. She should have a higher purpose now, changed by the journey. Instead she resorts to theft because of something SHE wants?

Peter is poor, he goes through trash. Yes, Tony scoops him up but its clear that he notices him because of his powers. He literally shows peter video of him as Spidey and Tony is desperate. There is commentary between Tony and Rhodey on this in CW. In his first movie, Peter screws up and Tony takes his suit away. This forces Peter back into a sweatshirt but morally, he never makes the wrong decision. This is made clear at the end of the movie when Tony is going to make him an Avenger for doing the right thing. None of is rooted in selfishness.

If Peter sides with Vulture to build him a new suit, maybe I could make the parallel.

To be crystal clear, I write articles to have conversations that no one else wants to have. It is difficult to dance around triggering language but everything is triggering now and people will jump to their assumptions. Is Riri was a white male, nothing about this article would change. If she was though a white male though, the dialog would be acceptable. If Supermans plot sucks. If they change Clark in any divisive way. People will have no issue critizing the story. That was the point I was making. When it comes to diverse leads, there are people who will automatically shit on it. There are other people who will just defend it to death.

The answer is in the middle of course. Bad writing is bad writing. Did anyone really shit on Black Panther? I recall it made a lot of money. It was competently written, produced and directed and it took T'challa in a logical direction after Civil War.

Now you do raise a good point about systemic racism. Could Riri's journey have been influenced by that? Well, I don't know because the story doesn't tell me that. Similar to Sam, he had some commentary about race but the story told me, it didn't show me. Thats writing 101. If you want to write those kinds of stories then they should do it. Have the balls to go all in. If I have to create my own narrative to excuse the regression of a character into literally performing crimes AFTER being a hero, its bad character development at a minimum.

Also, for you specifically. Im not arguing to be right. Im arguing because you generally present good arguments. Don't we both want good shows? Well, if they keep up this shit writing resulting in bomb after bomb, we won't have any.

@V - weak argument. Your comment is exactly what you acuse others of being/doing. In the comics, its in the right order. You seemed to miss the point. If she started out doing devious things, of course she can be redeemed. Look at Wanda. She takes an entire town captive when she knows better. Shes just being selfish. In that example, they make her a full blown villain so its continuation, not regression. Is Riri going to be a villain because if she clearly knows better in the trailer. That means her motivation is rooted in morally wrong character traits. You can make the argument with Echo but its not the same. She is driven by revenge and becomes good. Its not good writing because there are no consequences for her but its not regression.

Can you have regression in a good story, while building a character arc? Of course you can. Think of Sandman in Spider-man. He does bad things because of personal circumstance. Hes never truly bad. From the trailer, Riri is doing it out of ego.

@Lucasberg @CorndogBurglar
Lucasberg
Lucasberg - 6/8/2025, 3:37 PM
@V - just a lazy, brainless comment. Talk to some people who see things and vote differently than you maybe sometimes? Not everyone different than you is someone you need to slander as racist lol
Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 6/8/2025, 7:54 AM
What is so special about building a power suit anyways? I get iron man made that first one in a cave with a box of scraps, but after that, once the power source has been invented, what's the big deal?
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 6/8/2025, 9:17 AM
None of this matters. They made a show about a character that is highly disliked. Her comic runs was cancelled after 12 issues due to low sales. Several story elements were left hanging so they did a 2 book story to tie up those loose ends and she's never had a solo run again sonce then. In over 7 years.

She's even one of the most disliked parts of Wakanda Forever.

This is a highly disliked character that has done nothing but lose Marvel money. And they KNEW this when they decided to give her a show.

Its Ms Marvel syndrome. Ms Marvel is also a very disliked character with failed comic runs, a failed show, and a failed movie. She also does nothing but lose them money.

Neither of these characters move any needles for Marvel. At least not it the direction they should want the needle to be moving in.

So yes, its a bit concerning when Marvel decides to shove these characters into everyone's faces when someone like Nova has been sitting in Marvel's lap and fans have been begging for him for an extremely long amount of time.
JacobsLadder
JacobsLadder - 6/8/2025, 10:37 AM
it's shite.
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